Fort Fisher Air Force Station
Encyclopedia
Fort Fisher Air Force Station was a US Air Force installation located on the Atlantic coast 8 miles (12.9 km) southwest of Kure Beach, North Carolina
. Its primary mission was as a radar complex. It was closed on 30 June 1988 by the Air Force, and turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA).
Today the site is part of the Joint Surveillance System
(JSS), designated by NORAD as Eastern Air Defense Sector
(EADS) Ground Equipment Facility.
, Fort Fisher
was a Confederate
stronghold. It fell to Union forces on January 15, 1865.
In late December 1940, a new military facility was built as an Army anti-aircraft artillery training facility. It was named Camp Davis
, and was manned by about 20,000 officers and men. Camp Davis was attached to the First Army, Fourth Corps Area. It was an expansive facility consisting of more than 3,000 buildings on 45538 acres (184.3 km²) with access provided by newly-built railroad spurs leading into the camp.
Camp Davis was different from most military installations by having its firing ranges outside of the boundaries of the main post. In total five ranges were set up outside of Camp Davis for conducting live anti-aircraft training. These ranges were spread out along the southern coast of North Carolina at Sears Point, New Topsail Inlet, Maple Hill, Holly Shelter, and Fort Fisher.
One of the more prominent features of the range was a 2500 ft (762 m). unpaved runway. From a historical standpoint this is unfortunate as a section of the earthworks for the fort's land face, known as Shepard's Battery, were leveled to make the runway. The Army was well aware of the historical significance of the old fort, but the necessities of the war outweighed historic preservation. Today, the parking lot and visitor center for Fort Fisher sit on the remains of the runway.
In 1944 the anti-aircraft training facility was transferred to another base and Camp Davis was closed. At the time of its closure, Fort Fisher AAF had grown to include an 80-seat cafeteria, a 350-bed hospital and dental clinic, and covered an area of several hundred acres.
retained part of Fort Fisher AAF and renamed it Fort Fisher Air Force Station. It was assigned to Air Defense Command (ADC) as part of a planned deployment of forty-four Mobile radar stations. Fort Fisher AFS was designed as site M-115 and the 701st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was assigned on 1 September 1955. ADC initially installed AN/MPS-7 and AN/MPS-8 radars at the site, and initially the station functioned as a Ground control intercept (GCI) and warning station. As a GCI station, the squadron's role was to guide interceptor aircraft toward unidentified intruders picked up on the unit's radar scopes. By 1958 the AN/MPS-8 had been converted into an AN/GPS-3 and an AN/MPS-14 had been added.
In 1962 an AN/FPS-7C and AN/FPS-26 were placed in operation along with the AN/MPS-14 radars. During 1962 Fort Fisher AFS joined the Semi Automatic Ground Environment
(SAGE) system, initially feeding data to DC-04 at Fort Lee AFS, Virginia. After joining, the squadron was re-designated as the 701st Radar Squadron (SAGE) on 1 July 1962. The radar squadron provided information 24/7 the SAGE Direction Center where it was analyzed to determine range, direction altitude speed and whether or not aircraft were friendly or hostile.
On 31 July 1963, the site was redesignated as NORAD ID Z-115. The station was supported logistically by nearby Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
South Carolina. In addition, an AN/FSS-7 radar was operated by 4783d Surveillance Squadron, 14th Aerospace Force to monitor for Ballistic Missile launches by submarines.
In addition to the main facility, Fort Fisher AFS operated several unmanned Gap Filler sites:
Myrtle Beach operated an AN/FPS-14, while Fort Bragg operated an AN/FPS-18. In addition, with the closure of ADC facilities at MCAS Cherry Point
(M-116), the AN/FPS-14 Gap Filler at Holly Ridge, NC
34°30′50"N 077°32′08"W was redesignated Z-115C in 1963.
Over the years, the equipment at the station was upgraded or modified to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the information gathered by the radars. Fort Fisher AFS came under Tactical Air Command
jurisdiction in 1979 with the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command and the creation of ADTAC. It operated in this capacity until its closure on 30 June 1988.
Upon decommissioning the site, the FAA continued to run the radar as part of the Joint Surveillance System
(JSS) network as site J-02. In 1995 an AN/FPS-91A radar performed search duties. After its closure, a portion of the base was returned to the state of North Carolina
which turned much of it into the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
and historic site. The Air Force, however, decided to retain the housing complex for the base and turn it into a recreation area known as Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area.
With the closure of Myrtle Beach AFB in 1993, the Air Force facilities at Fort Fisher are currently supported by Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
. Besides being a recreation area, the Fort Fisher site is used by the National Guard as a training area and also hosts the Annual Seafood, Blues and Jazz Festival.
Assignments:
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. Its primary mission was as a radar complex. It was closed on 30 June 1988 by the Air Force, and turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA).
Today the site is part of the Joint Surveillance System
Joint Surveillance System
The Joint Surveillance System is a joint United States Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration system for the atmospheric air defense of North America...
(JSS), designated by NORAD as Eastern Air Defense Sector
Eastern Air Defense Sector
The Eastern Air Defense Sector is a United States Air Force unit and a component of the New York Air National Guard. It is stationed at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York.-Overview:...
(EADS) Ground Equipment Facility.
History
During the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865....
was a Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
stronghold. It fell to Union forces on January 15, 1865.
In late December 1940, a new military facility was built as an Army anti-aircraft artillery training facility. It was named Camp Davis
Camp Davis
Marine Corps Outlying Field Camp Davis is a military use airport located southeast of the central business district of Holly Ridge, in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States...
, and was manned by about 20,000 officers and men. Camp Davis was attached to the First Army, Fourth Corps Area. It was an expansive facility consisting of more than 3,000 buildings on 45538 acres (184.3 km²) with access provided by newly-built railroad spurs leading into the camp.
Camp Davis was different from most military installations by having its firing ranges outside of the boundaries of the main post. In total five ranges were set up outside of Camp Davis for conducting live anti-aircraft training. These ranges were spread out along the southern coast of North Carolina at Sears Point, New Topsail Inlet, Maple Hill, Holly Shelter, and Fort Fisher.
Fort Fisher Army Airfield
The Fort Fisher range ultimately became the main range for Camp Davis and the installation was given the name Fort Fisher Army Air Field (AAF). Because of the new range's prominence, it was deemed necessary to make the range a self-sustaining post. This called for the construction of 48 frame buildings, 316 tent frames, showers and latrines, mess halls, warehouses, radio and meteorological stations, a post exchange, photo lab, recreation hall, outdoor theater, guardhouse, infirmary, and an administration building. In addition to these facilities, the site featured a 10,000-gallon water storage tank, a motor pool, a large parade ground, and three steel observation towers along the beach.One of the more prominent features of the range was a 2500 ft (762 m). unpaved runway. From a historical standpoint this is unfortunate as a section of the earthworks for the fort's land face, known as Shepard's Battery, were leveled to make the runway. The Army was well aware of the historical significance of the old fort, but the necessities of the war outweighed historic preservation. Today, the parking lot and visitor center for Fort Fisher sit on the remains of the runway.
In 1944 the anti-aircraft training facility was transferred to another base and Camp Davis was closed. At the time of its closure, Fort Fisher AAF had grown to include an 80-seat cafeteria, a 350-bed hospital and dental clinic, and covered an area of several hundred acres.
Fort Fisher Air Force Station
In 1955, the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
retained part of Fort Fisher AAF and renamed it Fort Fisher Air Force Station. It was assigned to Air Defense Command (ADC) as part of a planned deployment of forty-four Mobile radar stations. Fort Fisher AFS was designed as site M-115 and the 701st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was assigned on 1 September 1955. ADC initially installed AN/MPS-7 and AN/MPS-8 radars at the site, and initially the station functioned as a Ground control intercept (GCI) and warning station. As a GCI station, the squadron's role was to guide interceptor aircraft toward unidentified intruders picked up on the unit's radar scopes. By 1958 the AN/MPS-8 had been converted into an AN/GPS-3 and an AN/MPS-14 had been added.
In 1962 an AN/FPS-7C and AN/FPS-26 were placed in operation along with the AN/MPS-14 radars. During 1962 Fort Fisher AFS joined the Semi Automatic Ground Environment
Semi Automatic Ground Environment
The Semi-Automatic Ground Environment was an automated control system for tracking and intercepting enemy bomber aircraft used by NORAD from the late 1950s into the 1980s...
(SAGE) system, initially feeding data to DC-04 at Fort Lee AFS, Virginia. After joining, the squadron was re-designated as the 701st Radar Squadron (SAGE) on 1 July 1962. The radar squadron provided information 24/7 the SAGE Direction Center where it was analyzed to determine range, direction altitude speed and whether or not aircraft were friendly or hostile.
On 31 July 1963, the site was redesignated as NORAD ID Z-115. The station was supported logistically by nearby Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force facility, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was established in 1940 as a World War II training base and was also used for coastal patrols during the war...
South Carolina. In addition, an AN/FSS-7 radar was operated by 4783d Surveillance Squadron, 14th Aerospace Force to monitor for Ballistic Missile launches by submarines.
In addition to the main facility, Fort Fisher AFS operated several unmanned Gap Filler sites:
- Myrtle Beach, SC (M-115A/Z-115A): 33°46′11"N 078°47′20"W
- Fort Bragg, NC (M-115B/Z-115B): 35°08′42"N 079°04′14"W
Myrtle Beach operated an AN/FPS-14, while Fort Bragg operated an AN/FPS-18. In addition, with the closure of ADC facilities at MCAS Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
(M-116), the AN/FPS-14 Gap Filler at Holly Ridge, NC
Holly Ridge, North Carolina
Holly Ridge is a town in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. The 2008 estimated population was 908. It is part of the Jacksonville, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Holly Ridge is located at ....
34°30′50"N 077°32′08"W was redesignated Z-115C in 1963.
Over the years, the equipment at the station was upgraded or modified to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the information gathered by the radars. Fort Fisher AFS came under Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
jurisdiction in 1979 with the inactivation of Aerospace Defense Command and the creation of ADTAC. It operated in this capacity until its closure on 30 June 1988.
Upon decommissioning the site, the FAA continued to run the radar as part of the Joint Surveillance System
Joint Surveillance System
The Joint Surveillance System is a joint United States Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration system for the atmospheric air defense of North America...
(JSS) network as site J-02. In 1995 an AN/FPS-91A radar performed search duties. After its closure, a portion of the base was returned to the state of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
which turned much of it into the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is a North Carolina state park in New Hanover County, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Kure Beach, North Carolina, it includes Fort Fisher, site of a major naval engagement during the American Civil War. The recreation area also served as a home...
and historic site. The Air Force, however, decided to retain the housing complex for the base and turn it into a recreation area known as Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area.
With the closure of Myrtle Beach AFB in 1993, the Air Force facilities at Fort Fisher are currently supported by Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located to the southeast of Goldsboro, North Carolina. The base is named for Navy test pilot Seymour Johnson, a native of Goldsboro...
. Besides being a recreation area, the Fort Fisher site is used by the National Guard as a training area and also hosts the Annual Seafood, Blues and Jazz Festival.
Air Force units and assignments
Units:- 701st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Assigned 1 September 1955
-
- Activated 1 December 1953 at 35th AD Dobbins AFB (M-87), GA (not manned or equipped)
- Re-designated 701st Radar Squadron (SAGE), 1 July 1962
- Re-designated 701st Air Defense Group, 1 March 1970
- Re-designated 701st Radar Squadron, 1 January 1974
- Inactivated on 30 June 1988
Assignments:
- 35th Air Division, 1 December 1953
- 85th Air Division, 1 March 1956
- 35th Air Division, 1 September 1958
- Washington Air Defense SectorWashington Air Defense SectorThe Washington Air Defense Sector is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the Air Defense Command 26th Air Division, being stationed at Fort Lee Air Force Station, Virginia...
, 1 July 1961 - 33d Air Division, 1 April 1966
- 20th Air Division, 19 November 1969
- 23d Air Division, 1 March 1983
- Southeast Air Defense SectorSoutheast Air Defense SectorThe Southeast Air Defense Sector , was a unit of the US Air Force located at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida. It provided air defense and surveillance of the southeastern region of the US...
, 1 July 1987-30 June 1988
See also
- List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command General Surveillance Radar Stations
- List of United States Air Force aircraft control and warning squadrons